Lighting switch



March 12,1940. H CATRQN ET AL 2,193,268

LIGHTING SWITCH Filed May 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 12, `1940. H.cATRoN ET AL LIGHTING SWITCH Filed May 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Mar. 12, 1%40 LIGHTING SWITCH Harold Catron and Delbert J.Chapman, Logansport, Ind.. assignors to R-B-M Manufacturing Company,Logansport, Ind., a corporation of Indiana application May 1 5', 1.937,serial No. 142,799

11 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to lighting switches of the typein which the switch unit is mounted on the back side of a panel and iscontrolled by a member extending on the forward side thereof and inwhich the operating member is detachable from the switch mechanism, andin which the latter is capable of being disposed in a plurality ofpositions.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of switchmechanism of this character in which a positiveindication is affordedwhen the switch mechanism is in one of its positions and in which theoperating rod or other member is conveniently detachable from the switchmechanism so as to facilitate mounting of the switch unit in positionand the subsequent insertion and connection of the operating means withthe movable part or parts of the switch unit.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of simple andconvenient means for illuminating a portion of the operating knob, bywhich the switch unit is controlled, for indicating the position of somepart, such as the usual foot dimming switch. Another object of thepresent invention in this connection is the mounting of the lamp on thebracket that holds the switch unit in position on the back side of apanel or the like and in such a position that light from the lamp passesthrough a hollow or axially bored operating member so as to furnish anindication `on the forward side of the panel.

"A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new andimproved means for interconnecting the inner end of the operating rodwith the movable part or parts of the switch unit after the latter hasbeen installed in position, and it is a further object of the presentinvention in this connection to provide means whereby the connectionbetween the operating rod and the switch unit may be disconnected easilyand conveniently.

'I'hese and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred structuralembodiment of our invention.

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top view of a switch assembly embodying the principles ofthe present invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing themovable switch contact (Cl. 20o-16) and associated parts in vone oftheir "on positions; y

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing themovable contact in 'an intermediate position;

Figure 4 is a side view with parts broken away to show the switch partsin their oi position;

Figure 5 is a side view with parts broken away to illustrate the mannerin which the knob may be illuminated;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the relative positions of theshftable contact carrier and the operating rod when thelatter is to be.attached to the carrier;

Figure 'I is a fragmentary sectional view showing the operating rodinserted in the opening in the outer end of the contact carrier butbefore it has been rotated into its interlocked position;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure-'7 but showing the operating rodinterlocked with the carrier; and

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken along the line 9 9 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings, more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and`9,the reference numeral I0 indicates the switch case as a whole, which isgenerally of rectangular formation having a bottom wall II, side wallsI2, and end walls I3 and Il. The side walls are extended forwardly, asat 12a, and at their forward ends have inwardly bent lugs I6. A mountingor attaching bracket I8 of generally channel section is riveted, as atI9 and 20, to the side Wall lugs I6 andhas its forward end formed with adownwardly bent attaching lug 2| provided with a laterally elongatedopening 22 in which a threaded collar 23 is disposed. The collar 23 hasa head 25 formed thereon, and a downwardly projected portion 26 isformed in the forward end of the bracket I8 l after the attaching collaror bushing 23 is in -place, the projection 26 cooperating with the head25, as best shown in Figure 3, to hold the collar 23 in position. Themember 23 is flattened as indicated at 28 in Figure 1, so as to fit inthe laterally elongated opening 22 and to be held against rotationtherein. A nut 29 is screwed onto the threaded portion of the collar orbushing 23 and securely attaches the bracket I8 to a supporting panel 30(Figure l?) or other part.

A bottom wall I I of the switch case Illis formed with la plurality ofdepressions 33, and 35, one of which, 34, is larger than the otherslaswill be referred to later, and the upper portion of the switch case IIIis closed by an insulator terminal block 30 the corners of which arenotched, as at 39 (Figure 1) to receive ears 40 which are formed on theside walls I2 of the switch case I0 and are bent over toeffectivelysecure the terminal block 33 to the switch case I0. 'I'heforward wall I4 of the casing l0 carries an upwardly extending lug 42which is adapted to be received in a notch 43 formed in the forwardcentral portion of the terminal block 38 for the purpose of insuringthat the block will be mounted in the right position on the switch caseI0. The terminal block 3B carries a number of stationary contacts of anysuitable or desiredv type, and for purposes of illustration we haveshown a pair of contacts 45 and three individual contacts 46a, 46h and46c, each in the form of headed rivets mounted on the terminal block 38and serving to fix the associated terminals 41 and 48 in place on theouter side o1' the terminal block 38. It is to be understood, however,that any suitable or desirable arrangement and number of contacts andterminals may be provided as required.

A shiltable contact unit, indicated in its entirety by the referencenumeral 50, is disposed and shiftable in a switch case I0, and comprisesa contact carrier 5| having its inner end formed with an opening 52therein with fianges 53 and 54 extending upwardly on opposite sidesthereof; The sides of the inner end of the contact carrier 5| are formedwith upwardly extending generally parallel arms 56 between which a cageor saddle 51 is disposed. The saddle 51 is movable vertically betweenthe arms 36and has a pair of notched downwardly extending lugs 60 atopposite ends embracing and receiving a roller 6|, the latter havingreduced ends 62 disposed in the notched lugs 60. The cage or saddle 51also has side sections 65 and 66 which are extended, as at 65a and 66a,so as to lie on opposite sides of the carrier arms 56 to thereby serveas guides for the vertical movement of the roller cage or saddle 51. Thecage 51 carries a spring locating pin 10 which receives the lower end ofa spring 1|. The upper end of the spring 1I bears against a contactsupport block 12, the ends of `which are notched, as at 13 (Figure 4),to embrace the upper reduced vportions of the arms 56. A contact plate14 is carried by the insulator block 12 and has ears 15 and 16 (Figure2) embracing the block 12 and disposed in notches cut in the sidethereof. Since the roller 6| is carried at the lower portion of the cage51 and the spring 41| bears against the cage at its lower end andagainst the contact block 12 at its upper end, the spring 1l serves thedual purpose of urging the roller 6| downwardly into one of the notches33, 34 or 35 and also forcing a contact plate 14 up into firm engagementwith one or more of the contacts 45, 46, according to the position ofthe shiftable contact unit 50.

When the roller 6| seats in one of the depressions 33, 34 or 35 theshiftable switch unit 50 is yieldingly held in that position under thebias exertedA by the spring 1|. The intermediate depression 34 ispurposely made somewhat larger than the other depressions in order toafford the user an'indication as to the position in which the switchmechanism is disposed and also serves as additional resistance againstthe accidental displacement of the switch mechanism out of position. Byhaving the first depression more shallow than the deeper intermediateone, it is easier' to operate the switch, and also each position isdistinct from the other. As is obvious, however, more than threedepressions may be provided and any one or more of the depressions maybe made larger than the others, ac-

cording to the arrangement of contacts and function of the switch unit.For example, in a four position switch there may be two or more of thelarger depressions. v

The forward end of the bottom wall |I and the lower portion of the frontend wall |4 is formed with an opening out of which extends the forwardend 9| of the contact carrier 5|. An upwardly bent arm or lug 92 isformed on the forward portion 9| of the contact carrier and has alaterallyy elongated opening 93 in line with the opening in the threadedattaching collar 23, A spring is riveted, as at 96, to the forward endof the contact carrier section 9| and is biased to take a position at anangle to the lug 92. The end of the spring 95 is provided with avertically elongated opening 91 (Figure 6) appreciablly larger than theopening 93 but similarly in line with the axis of the co1- lar 23.

The means for shifting the contact carrier unit from one position toanother comprises an operating rod |00 having an axially extending bore|0| extending therethrough. The outer end of the operating rod or shaft|00 carries a knob |02 having a translucent section |03 (Figure 5) inline with the bore IOI in the rod |00. The outer end of the latter andthe knob |02 carried thereby is disposed on the front side of the panel30. 'Ihe inner end of the operating rod or shaft |00 is iiattened as at|05 and includes a portion |06 of reduced diameter, and the intermediateportion of the reduced portion |06 has slots |01 and |08 formed therein,as best shown in Figure 6. The flattened section |05 extends axiallyoutwardly a short distance beyond the portion |06 of reduced diameter,which leaves axially projecting shoulders I|0 and ||I.

After the switch unit has been attached on the back side of the panel 30and the fastening nut 29 tightened, the operating shaft or rod |00 isinserted from the front of the-panel by passing the rod-through theopeningA in the collar 23 and towards the forward end of the contactcarrier 50. ward the forward end 92 of the contact carrier in theposition shown in Figure 6, that is, with the flattened sections |06 attheV inner end of the rod |00 held in a. horizontal position. Thediameter of the central portion of the opening 91 in the spring 95 islarge enough to admit the reduced end |06, and likewise the longerdimension of the opening 93 in the lug 92 is sufficient to admit theinner portion ofthe flattened forward end of the rod |00. In moving tothis position, however, the shoulders ||0 and II| 'come up against thespring 95, but continued inward motion of the rod |00 bends the spring95 backwardly until it lies against the front f'ace of the lug 92, asbest shown in Figure 7. This movement of the rod |00 forces the rear endof the contact carrier 50 up against the rear wall I3 of the switch caseif the switch contact carrier 50 is not already in that position. Assoon as the spring 95 has been brought substantially to the positionshown in Figure 7, the slots |01 and |03 are in the same plane as thelug 92. This permits the rod |00 to be turned through 90 and causes theslotted sections I01 and |08 to engage the opposite sides of the opening93 in the lug 92, which inter- Initially, the rod |00 is brought tolocksthe operating rod with the forward portion Si of the contact carrier 5|.At the same time, the elongated opening 91 in the spring 95 snaps overthe shoulders and Iii and serves to prevent any accidental rotation ofthe operating rod |00 about its own axis, thereby locking the rod |00 ininterengaged relation with the movable switch unit 50.

It will be noted that the connection between the operating rod on theforward side of the panel 30 and the movable switch unit 50 on the backside thereof is established simply by a forward and rotational movementof the member |00. Longitudinal movement of the rod- |00 then serves toshift the movable switch unit 50 from one position to another, the unitbeing held in any selected position by the action of the spring 1|forcing the roller saddle or cage 51 and the roller 6| downwardly so asto cause the roller to seat in the associated depression in the bottomwall Il of the switch case |0.

In order to indicate when the movable switch f unit v50 is in one of itspositions, one of the associated depressions is made somewhat largerthan the others so as to require the exertion of slight additional forcein moving the switch out of position.

It may also be desirable to afford a. visual indication of thecondition, that is, whether or not it is on, or whether it is disposedin some particular position of the several positions available, of aswitch, such as thetusual foot dimming switch or any other switchincluding theabove described switch, and to this end the presentinvention contemplates the disposition of a lamp |20 carried in a socket|2| supported in any suitable manner in an opening |22 in the rearportion of the mounting bracket I8, between the inner end of the tubularoperating rod |00 and the front wall I4 of the switch case in theinnermost position of the shiftable contact unit. The present inventionis not particularly concerned with the construction of the lamp socket,but as best shown in Figure 5, the socket |2| consists of a sleeve-likemember having an opening at one end surrounding a conductor |25 andreceiving a washer |26 against which a spring y21 bears, the other endof the spring seating against an insulating washer |20 through which theconductor |25 extends. The conductor |25 terminates in a contact head|20. The center contact of the lamp |20 is adapted to engage the contacthead |28, and `Athe sleeve member i2| is provided with bayonet lgrooves|32 and `333 accommodating the conventionaifastening studs carried onthe base |34 of the lamp |20. The outer end of the socket |2| is formedwith a shouldered section |31 and a plurality of spring arms |38 whichserves to releasably hold the socket |2| in position. Preferably,although not necessarily, the spring arms |33 are formed in a flange |40on the lower or outer end of the socket |2|. If desired, a collar 4| maybe provided to insure that the filament of the lamp |20 shall be inproper position with respect to the axial opening |0| extending throughthe operating rod |00 so that light therefrom will pass through the bore|0| and illuminate the knob section |03.l

In operation, the shiftable switch unit 50 is moved from one position toanother by pushing or pulling on the knob |02. In the innermost positionof the latter, as shown in Figures'4 and 5, the unit 50 is in its oii"position, and the corresponding position of the contact plate 14 isshown 'at a in dotted lines in Figure 1. It will be noted that thecontact plate I4 engages only the contact dta and does not engage eitherof theother contacts 45. The roller 5I seats in the groove 33 and servesto hold the switch in this position but yields to permit the knob to bepulled out so as to provide for the movement of the switch unit 50 intoan "on" position, such as the one shown in Figure 3. In this positionthe roller El seats in the largest depression 34 and connects 'thecontacts 46a and 4Gb with the terminal M through one of the contacts45.`

Since the depression 34 is larger than the others, it takes a somewhatstronger pull on the knob to shift the switch unit into its thirdposition, shown in Figure 2, in which the contact plate 14 connects thecontacts 4Gb and 46c with the terminal fil through the other contact 45.The

spring 1| biases the roller 5| to engage the notch or groove 35 so as toyieldingly hold thev switch unit in this position. The position of thecontact plate i4 corresponding to this position of the switch isindicated at b. The connector |25 may be so connected as to cause thelamp |20 to be illuminated when the switch unit is in one of its onpositions, as desired. In Figure 3, the lamp |20 and associated partshave been eliminat'ed for purposes of clarity.

When it is desired to remove the switch from the panel 30, it isnecessary only to disconnect the knob at its operating shaft |00 fromthe switch unit and then remove the nut 29. In order to disconnect theoperating rod |00, the attaching bracket i8 is provided with an opening-|50 (Figures 5 and 7) adjacent the end of the spring 95 when the contactcarrier 5| is in its innermost position, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Atool, such as a small screw-driver, indicated in dotted lines by thereference numeral |5|, is then inserted so as to engage the end of thespring 95 Ato pry the spring backwardly until it is in a position(Figure 7) to permit the operating rod |00 to be turned from thisposition shown in Figure 8 back to `the position shown in Figure '7 withthe fiat portions |05 horizontal, and when the rod |00 is in thisposition it may be withdrawn from the contact carrier 5| and removedfrom the panel without interference. The nut 29 is then unscrewed fromthe threaded bushing 23 and then the switch can be detached from thepanel.

While we have shown and described above the preferred structuralembodiment illustrating the principles of our invention,` it is to beunderstood that our invention is not to be limited to the particulardetails shown and described above,

but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed `ln thepractice of the broader aspects of our invention.

What we claim, therefore, and desire to s'ecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switch comprising a unit adapted to be mounted on the back side ofa panel or the like and including a movable element and a bracketadapted to be mounted over an opening in the panel, an operating rodadapted to be inserted through said opening into said unit from thefront of said panel, cooperating means on said movable element and theinner end of said rod for interconnecting said element and rod, andspring means carried by and movable with said element and engaging saidrodfor yieldingly holding the latter engaged with said element.

2. A switch comprising a unit adapted to be mounted on the back side ofa panel or the like and including a movable element and a bracketadapted to be mounted over an opening in the panel, an operating rodadapted to be inserted through said openinginto said unit from the frontof said panel, the inner end of said rod being flattened and having aslot, a lug carried by said n. ivable element and having a non-circularopening shaped to accommodate the insertion and rotation of the innerend of said rod so as to interlock the slot of the latter with saidmovable element, and means carried by said element for yieldinglylholding said rod against rotation relative thereto so as to retain saidrod and element in interlocked relation.

3. A lighting switch'having a switch case, a longitudinally shiftablecontact carrier having an apertured section, an operating rod having itsinner end reduced, flattened and formed with a slot, the aperture ofsaid carrier section and the end of said rod being'formed so that whenthe end is inserted into said' aperture and turned, the slot in said rodengages the edge of said Aapertured section to provide for operatingvsaid carrier by shifting said rod, and a spring member carried by saidcarrier and having an elongated opening receiving, and accommodatingrotation of, the reduced end of said rod and adapted to engage theflattened portion of said rod and prevent further rotation thereof afterthe rod has been rotated to cause said slot to interlock with saidapertured carrier section. 4. A switch comprising a switch case having aplurality of elongated depressions in the bottom wall thereof, aninsulating block carried by the switch case opposite the bottom wall,fixed contacts on said block, a carrier shiftably mounted in said switchcase, a roller cage shiftably mounted in said carrier, a movable contactalso shiftably mounted in said carrier, a roller having vswitch case andmovable over said depressions,

said carrier having spaced arms thereon, a roller cage movably mountedon said arms and carrying a roller engageable in said'depressions, ashiftable contact also mounted on said carrier arms and adapted toengage said fixed contacts, and spring means acting between said movablecontact and said'iroller cage for maintaining said contacts inengagement and biasing said roller to enter each of the depressions inthe bottom wall of the switch case for yieldingly holding s'aid carrierin each of its positions.

6. A switch comprising a switch case, an attaching bracket secured tosaid case, a longitudinally shiftable contact carrier, means limitingthe movement of said carrier in one position, an operating rod foractuating said carrier, and means for releasably connecting the innerend of said rod to said carrier, including a spring member fixed tosaid' carrier and engageable with said rod to hold the latter ininterengagement with said carrier, said bracket having an openingtherein disposed adjacent said spring in said one position of thecarrier and providing for the insertion of a tool to move said springaway from said biased position while said carrier'is held by motionlimiting means in said one position to release said operating rod fromthe carrier.

7. A lighting switch comprising an attaching bracket, a switch casefastened to said bracket, a longitudinally shiftable contact carrierhaving an apertured section, an operating rod having its inner endreduced, flattened and formed with a slot, the aperture of said carriersection and the end of said rod being formed so that when the end isinserted into said aperture and turned, the slot in said rod engages theedge of said apertured section to provide for operating said carrier byshifting said rod, and a spring member carried by said carrier andhaving an elongated opening receiving and accommodating rotation of thereduced end of said rod and adapted to engage the-flattened portion ofsaid rod and prevent further rotation thereof after the rod has beenrotated to cause said slot to interlock with said apertured carriersection, said bracket having an opening formed therein adjacent saidspring member when the carrier is in its innermost position, providingfor the insertion of a tool to bend said spring member out of engagementwith the flattened portion of the rod so as to provide for rotation ofthe latter to release the slotted portion of the rod from. the aperturein said carrier section.

8. Aswitch comprising an attaching bracket, a switch case fastened tothe inner portionof said bracket at one side thereof, switch mechanismcarried by said switch case and including an outer movable sectionextending outwardly from said case in spaced relation with respect tosaid bracket and having an arm, a hollow operating l over the axialopening therein and in a position to receive light passing through saidopening from. said lamp.

9. A switch comprising a supporting bracket having an attaching lug atone end, a switch case at the other end and including shiftable contactmeans, a movable carrier spaced from the bracket and extending at oneend into the switch case and having a lug at the other end extend-A ingtoward the bracket, a hollow operating shaft extending through saidattaching lug and connected at its inner end to the lug on said carrier,

a lamp socket detachably carried by said bracket inwardly of saidoperating shaft, a lamp' in said socket disposed generally in line withsaid shaft in the space between the movable carrier and the bracket, anda knob on the outer end of said shaft adapted to be illuminated by lightrays from said lamp passing throughsid hollow shaft.

10. A switch according to claim 9 wherein said lug is provided with anelongated aperture therein and said operating shaft is provided with anaxial opening extending therethrough and a flattened slotted sectionadapted to enter said elongated opening in the outer end of saidshiftable element and to be interengaged therewith, and a springextending inthe same general direction as said lug and cooperating withthe flattened portion of said operating rod for maintaining the latterin interlocked relation with said shiftable element.

11. A switch comprising a switch case having spacedvside wallextensions, a mounting bracket xed at one end `to said extensions andhaving its other end turned atsubstantially right angles to the mainbody of the mounting bracket and provided with an aperture therein, areciprocable switch contact means movably mounted i'n said" switch caseand having a section extending exteriorly thereof generally parallel tobut spaced from the body portion of said mounting bracket and an endturned at substantially right angles and extending toward the mountingbracket adjacent the apertured end of the latter, a hollow operating rodfor reciprocating said switch contact means movably disposed in theaperture of the end of said mounting bracket and detachably connected tothe said end of the switch contact ,means, the axis of said rod lyingbetween the body portion of said mounting bracket and the body portionof the extended section of the switch contact means, means on said endfor holding the operating rod in engagement therewith and preventing thelatter from being pulled out of the aperture in said mounting bracket,and a lamp carried by the mounting bracket in a pos.tion between saidside wall extensions and also between the extended section of saidswitch contact means and the body portion of the mounting bracket and inline with the axis of said rod.

HAROLD CATRON. DELBERT J. CHAPMAN.

